20 Things I Wish I Knew When I Was 20

April 23, 2018

As my 21st birthday approaches, I find myself wondering where the time has gone. My 20th birthday feels like it was yesterday – and since I often use age as a milestone in my life, I place a lot of expectations for myself around birthdays. People have said your 20th birthday is an insignificant milestone, but I completely disagree. Your 20th birthday marks twenty years of being alive, and the beginning of your third decade on this planet. Your twenties are completely different from your teen years and should be celebrated as such. Here are 20 things I wish I’d known when I turned 20 for making the most of this significant milestone.

You’re not old by any means, but you aren’t a teenager anymore. Start giving more consideration to your educational, career, and life aspirations so when you enter the real world, you’ll be as prepared as possible.

2) School is still important.

You’re no longer a freshman in college who can stay up till 4:00 AM cramming for a test and ace it. Put effort into your work — it will always benefit you in the future.

3) Don’t skip the workout.

Most women can’t eat junk food like they could when they were 16. Your metabolism starts to slow as you get older and it’s important to keep a regular exercise routine, for both physical and mental health.

4) Maintain close friendships.

It’s likely you’ll stay in touch with your friends from college. Cherish your #girlgang. They may be your bridesmaids one day or your professional network.

5) Get as many jobs and internships as you can before graduation.

You’ll be glad you did when everyone is struggling to find work after college. Everything you can involve yourself in will help you stand out from the crowd when applying for jobs.

6) Enjoy your last year of not being 21.

This is your last year before you’re treated as a full-fledged legal adult!

7) When someone asks you if you want to go out, you should go.

Your college years are fleeting and at 20, you want to make the most of them. As the adage states, no one ever looks back on their life and wishes they got more sleep.

8) Take care of your skin.

Skin care is important in your twenties, so splurge and invest in high-quality skin care products like cleansers and moisturizers.

9) Take lots and lots of photos.

Capture every moment and print them out for decorating your room or saving in a memory box. But don’t live vicariously through your phone either; there’s a whole world out there for you to explore!

As you get older, so do they. Remember to treat them with the respect they deserve.

19) Take care of your mental health, first and foremost.

If that means going to sleep early, shutting off your phone for the night, or taking a day for yourself to recoup, make sure you do it.

10) You have one of the best decades of your life in front of you.

A lot of growth happens between ages 20 and 30 so take the time to reflect on the woman you’re becoming!

Sylvia Pritchard is a twenty-year-old college student passionate about art, fashion, and my Chihuahua, Romeo. You can most easily find her sipping an iced vanilla latte on campus or going for a run outside. She currently resides in Pullman, a tiny town in eastern Washington where she studies Public Relations.